Ergonomically designed dispenser for stretch film

ABSTRACT

A hand dispenser for stretch film. The stretch film from the hand dispenser is dispensed by using one hand from a person. The film is wound around one end of the extended core. The dispenser comprises a handle; a split barrel or shaft and a tensioning device inserted in the barrel for creating tension against a core of stretch film.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an ergonomically designed dispenser for use with stretch film.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

U.S. Pat. No. 4,722,493 relates to a holder for dispensing stretch film from a roll comprising a cylindrical body and an arbor rotatably supported on the body. A flexible grip having internal ribs covers the body and the arbor, so that one can by applying finger pressure to the grip brake rotation of the arbor and thus control film tension. The patent teaches that the holder comprises a handle which includes a substantially cylindrical body and a shaft extending from one end of the body. An arbor is journaled on the shaft. Means on the arbor engage the film roll, thereby constraining the roll and the arbor to rotate together on the shaft. A collar is on the arbor adjacent the handle body. One holding the handle body may create a braking torque on the roll by applying radial pressure to the collar.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,517 relates to a dispenser for a stretch wrap film with cylindrical bearings. The dispenser has a spindle at the end which forms a hub which attaches to the core of the film roll and rotates with the roll as the film is unwound. The spindle extends coaxially from the core of the film roll and is partially surrounded by a flexible hand grip. Bearings are coaxially mounted on the spindle and interposed beneath part of the hand grip so that the spindle may rotate freely with respect to the hand grip. Part of the hand grip engages the spindle without interposition of bearings. The dispenser requires a first sleeve bearing mounted coaxially on the shaft adjacent the hub, a brake drum mounted coaxially on the shaft adjacent the first sleeve bearing, a second sleeve bearing mounted on the shaft adjacent the other end of the brake drum and a single flexible hand grip.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,575,020 relates to a portable chuck for dispensing under tension roll of wrapping material. The portable chuck includes an expandable spindle insertable within one end of the tubular core, and a handle for selectively expanding the spindle to create a braking force. The chuck is formed from first and second chuck pieces, each of which includes a spindle portion, collar and handle portion. A fulcrum means is disposed between the first and second chuck pieces above the collar.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,522,348 relates to a dispenser for stretch film having a manual braking mechanism. First and second side members are adjacent to each side of a roll wrapping material. Each of these side members has a bearing member disposed thereon for supporting the core. At least one of the bearing members is insertable into the core and has an expandable bearing surface.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,094,395 relates to an apparatus and method for dispensing plastic stretch film wherein a hollow core supply roll of stretch film is dispensed in a controlled manner utilizing a brake means mounted within the core. This urges by its own resiliency against the inside surface of the core while permitting frictionally retarded axially rotation of the core about the brake and having handles connected to the brake means.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,714,211 relates to a dispenser for applying plastic packaging film under tension about an object of large volume. The dispenser comprises a base with a handle and a roll support structure at opposite ends. The roll support structure comprises a tube that is adjustable relative to the base. There is provided a means to secure the tube in a selected position, together with a tension applying means in connection with a hand grip attached to the upper end of the roll support structure.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,311,725 relates to a stretch wrap packaging machine which has a support frame and a rotatable frame rotatably mounted on the support frame. A dispenser is mounted on the rotatable frame to follow an orbital path. The dispenser has a web tensioning system. At least one actuation ring is mounted on the support frame. An activator moves the actuation ring to cooperate with the tensioning system.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,049 relates to a method and apparatus for stretch wrapping a load. A leading end of packaging materials is placed in a retainer to hold the leading end of the packaging material. Packaging material is dispensed from a packaging material dispenser, and relative rotation is provided between the dispenser and a load to wrap packaging material around the load. The packaging material is automatically released from the retainer in response to force applied by packaging material wrapped around the load or other unpowered actuation.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,102,513 relates to a dispenser for wrapping a roll of plastic stretch film under tension about an object. The dispenser has a reel assembly provided with an adjustable drag arrangement to set and adjust the tension on the film during the wrapping operation by the manipulation of a hand grip. Two hand grips are connected to and arranged relative to the reel assembly for the balance support thereof during wrapping. One hand grip is operatively associated with one of a pair of rotary end supports for the roll of film in such a way that movement of the one hand grip changes the drag on the roll and thereby the tension on the film during the wrapping thereof.

U.S. Design Pat. 317,394 and 382,429 relate to hand held dispensers for stretch wrap film.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,179,081 relates to an apparatus for the manual application of plastic stretch films to materials. The apparatus consists of an extended core for the supply of plastic stretch film and a pair of tubular like grip means for the extended core. The grip means serve as a manual control means for paying out the plastic stretch film and as a manual means for applying tension on the film. This patent requires a pair of flexible hand grips.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,248,392 relates to an apparatus for the application of plastic stretch films. The apparatus consists of a pair of insertable adaptors for the ends of a cylindrical core which hold a supply of plastic stretch film and a pair of tubular like grip means for the insertable adapters. This patent requires a pair of insertable adapters and a pair of flexible hand grips.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,477,037 relates to a stretch wrap film dispenser wherein the stretch wrap film is wound on a core which is longer than the roll of film to extend out of both ends. A rotatable handle is mounted on the core outboard of the film. Relative brake nib between the handle and core is adjusted by a screw thread.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,484,717 relates to a stretch wrap film dispenser with single digit tension control. A brake ring under at least one index finger can be clamped by that finger under the spindle to apply braking.

In the prior art, when a user wanted to dispense stretch film, the user created tension from the handle of the device onto the core of the device that the film is wound on. This tension is created by hand pressure (squeezing the handle).

In the prior art, this hand pressure creates a discomfort or burning to the user's hand. This hand pressure also results in uneven tension control as the film is wrapped around the product. Another common problem that occurs with the standard dispenser is that it does not adjust to the variations of the inside dimensions of the core. If the core is too large, the roll of film will slip out of the dispenser. Conversely, if the core is too small it is very difficult to push the dispenser into the core.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an ergonomically designed dispenser for use with narrow width stretch film. The present invention relates to a hand dispenser for stretch film. It is an object of the present invention for the stretch film from the hand dispenser to be dispensed by using one hand from a person.

A common problem that has occurred with prior art dispensing devices is that they do not adjust to the variations of the inside dimensions of the film core. If the film core is too large, the roll of film will slip out of the dispenser. Conversely, if the core is too tight, it is very difficult to push the dispenser into the core and equally as difficult to remove the dispenser when the film is used up. By using the device of the present invention, by merely pressing the front end of the split barrel, it allows the film roll to slip on or off the barrel. When in use, the barrel springs back and the raised lip prevents the film from slipping off the barrel.

It is an object of the present invention for the barrel or shaft of the device to be split which allows it to be compressed and easily inserted into the film core. It is an object of the present invention for the front end of the barrel to have a raised lip. After the barrel is inserted into the film core, the raised lip that extends beyond the end of the core prevents the dispenser from coming out.

The present invention comprises a 1″ ID core for dispensing film. This improves the dispensing of film which is commonly done with standard 3″ ID core dispensers. The use of a 1″ ID core substantially reduces the OD of the film roll, making it easier and less cumbersome to use. It is an object of the present invention to use the device with approximately 1″ to 6″ width films.

It is an object of the present invention for dispenser to comprise a knob at the base of the handle to comprise a tapered screw. When turned clockwise, it extends between two cams located opposite each other on the interior of the barrel which expands the barrel against the inside of the core on which the stretch wrap is wound and provides adjustable and constant tension.

It is an object of the present invention for the device to comprise two pieces, one piece being the barrel and handle and a second piece being a tensioning device. It is an object of the present invention for the tensioning device to comprise a knob at the base of the tensioning device and a tapered screw. The tensioning device is placed inside the barrel. When turned, the tensioning device extends between two cams located opposite each other on the interior of the barrel which expands the barrel against the inside of the core on which the stretch wrap is wound and provides adjustable and constant tension.

The present invention relates to a dispenser for dispensing stretch film having a handle. It is an object of the present invention for the handle to be molded. It is an object of the present invention for the dispenser to have a foam sleeve for a cushion grip which fits over the handle.

It is an object of the present invention for a small amount of tension to activate the films holding power.

It is an object of the present invention for the tension in the film to be controllable during the wrapping process.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a stretch wrap dispenser which has good balance and facilitates the application of film under substantially uniform tension across the full width of the film for a uniform wrap.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a stretch wrap film dispenser which can be adjusted to accommodate different widths of film rolls.

The present invention relates to a method of dispensing stretch film comprising: compressing a split barrel of a dispenser. A roll of stretch film is placed over the compressed barrel, and a raised lip is placed at the end of the roll. Tension against the inside of the roll is adjusted by expanding and contracting the barrel against the inside of the roll.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a dispenser for stretch film having the stretch film.

FIG. 2 shows the barrel of the dispenser of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows the tensioning device of the dispenser of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the dispenser of the present invention without the stretch film.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a dispenser 10 for dispensing stretch film 12 having a handle 14. The handle 14 in a preferred embodiment being molded. In a preferred embodiment, the dispenser 10 has a foam sleeve for a cushion grip which fits over the handle 14.

FIG. 2 shows the barrel or shaft 20 of the dispenser 10. The barrel or shaft 20 of the dispenser 10 is split into two pieces 21 and 23 which allows the barrel 20 to be compressed and easily inserted into the film core 16. The barrel has located internally two cams 22 and 24. In a preferred embodiment, the front end of the barrel 20 has a raised lip 26. After the barrel 20 is inserted into the film core 16, the raised lip 26 extends beyond the end of the core 16 and prevents the stretch film 12 from coming out of the dispenser 10.

FIG. 3 shows the tensioning device 30 of the dispenser 10 of the present invention. The tensioning device 30 comprises a knob 32 at the base of the tensioning device 30 and a tapered screw 34. The tensioning device 30 is placed inside the barrel 20. When turned, it extends between two cams 22 and 24 located opposite each other on the interior of the barrel 20 which expands the barrel 20 against the inside of the core 16 on which the stretch wrap 12 is wound and provides adjustable and constant tension.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the dispenser 10 of the present invention without the stretch film. In this view one can see the split barrel 21 and 23 and the tensioning device 30. 

1. A dispenser for dispensing stretch film comprising: a handle; a split barrel or shaft; and a tensioning device inserted in said handle and shaft for creating tension against a core of stretch film.
 2. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said split barrel or shaft is compressed and inserted into a film core.
 3. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein a front end of said barrel has a raised lip.
 4. The dispenser of claim 3 wherein after said barrel is inserted into a film core, said raised lip extends beyond the end of said film core preventing said dispenser from coming out of said film core.
 5. The dispenser for claim 1 wherein said dispenser dispenses stretch film by using one hand from a person.
 6. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said dispenser comprises a 1″ ID core for dispensing film.
 7. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said dispenser dispenses approximately 1″ to 6″ width films.
 8. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said tensioning device comprises a knob at base of said the handle.
 9. The dispenser of claim 8 wherein said tensioning device comprises a tapered screw.
 10. The dispenser of claim 8 wherein when said tensioning device is turned, it extends between two cams located opposite each other on the interior of said barrel which expands said barrel against inside of said core on which stretch wrap is wound.
 11. The dispenser of claim 10 wherein said tensioning device provides adjustable and constant tension.
 12. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said handle comprises a foam sleeve for a cushion grip which fits over said handle.
 13. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein tension in said film is controllable during wrapping process.
 14. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said dispenser has good balance and facilitates application of said film under substantially uniform tension across full width of said film for a uniform wrap.
 15. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said dispenser is adjusted to accommodate different widths of film rolls.
 16. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said handle is molded.
 17. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said film is dispensed by using one hand.
 18. A method of dispensing stretch film comprising: compressing a split barrel of a dispenser; placing a roll of stretch film over said compressed barrel; placing a raised lip at an end of said roll; adjusting tension by expanding and contracting said barrel against inside of said roll. 